Published: November 07, 2009 08:23 pm      

LETTERS: Nov. 8, 2009

Our tax dollars are being wasted

I have tried to keep myself under control and have tried to have confidence in the Indiana Department of Transportation and its’ construction contractor. I have never, ever, in all my life, seen such a mess of what is supposed to be improvements to our highway. If you have not been on Interstate 64 at the Georgetown-Lanesville exit you should make a trip here and see what I am talking about.

I have just learned that the construction company is going to destroy another road — Knable Road, which I thought was a county road. The biggest reason I believe this upsets me so is because they have every exit, on ramps, Ind. 64, Ind. 62, and they are going to destroy another road before finishing what they have already destroyed.

This project has already cost business in Georgetown thousands of dollars, and have put our citizens at risk due to the neglect of safety to prevent accidents. This project is supposed to be finished on Nov. 30. There is no way they will make it.

I have talked with engineers that have told me that they would have to work 24/7 to get the project done on time. They have blamed the rain on holdups, but there has been beautiful days when no construction has been done. If Mac Construction knew they were running behind why haven't they hired more out-of-work workers from our local Labor Union to bail them out?

Because they know they will get their three-month extension, and then another three month extension after that, with no fine for being late. I have talked with state highway officials in Indianapolis and Seymour, and they have basically told me they have no control over Mac Construction, the contractor, that they make all the decisions for this project.

Our tax dollars are being wasted. I wish that our Floyd County Highway Department was handling this project. It would have been done, and done right. I am limited how much I can write in this space but would be glad to discuss it further with anyone that is interested. If anyone is being affected by this project, would you please stand up for the citizens of our community and call the state highway department. I can give you phone numbers.

I am only voicing the opinions of hundreds of residents, businesses, and guests of our community. I need everyone to help get the attention of our state highway leaders, our local state legislators,or anyone who will help get this tax dollar-wasted project done right, so it will not have to be re-done in a short period of time. You may contact me at 812-923-8894.

— Dennis O. Roudenbush, Georgetown



Chief Crabtree is doing excellent job

It seems we live in a society that likes to see people fail, and when they do, they like to shout it from the rooftop. Well, I don’t think that is the way it should be, and would like to say publicly that Chief Crabtree has done a good job since he was appointed Chief of the New Albany Police Department.

He has kept the department flowing smoothly, and has not made any knee-jerk decisions, even in the fact of the current budget woes, which, by the way, is no fault of his.

I think the current Mayor has made at least one good decision since he was elected and that was the selection of his Police Chief. Keep up the good work, Chief Crabtree.

— Merle Harl, New Albany police

  

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